The St. Petersburg Pier, a Tampa Bay landmark that closed in 2013, is finally undergoing a transformation after sitting dormant off the waters of downtown St. Pete for more than two years. The inverted pyramid structure, which opened in 1973 and served as a tourist draw for four decades, is being replaced by an attraction presently called the New St. Pete Pier.
Demolishing the inverted pyramid structure and its adjoining 1,016-foot-long pier and constructing anew started in late summer 2015. The $46 million project will include building observation areas, a waterside restaurant, and room for retail, jogging, walking and biking. There will also be 17,000 square feet of floating docks designated for fishing and a bait shop.
Several major firms are involved with the New St. Pete Pier project, including Swedish-based Skanska, which will serve as the main construction contractor. Also involved with the project are several local companies that have been tasked with a multitude of assignments, from demolishing the old St. Pete Pier to designing and coordinating the construction of the New St. Pete Pier.